Ultraviolet A1 plus narrowband UVB for atopic eczema
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised assessor-blinded study to compare narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy with combined narrowband ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A1 phototherapy for atopic eczema.
IRAS ID
132759
Contact name
Robert, S Dawe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Dundee
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy is now established as the main form of UVB phototherapy used in dermatology centres. This development, over the past 30 years, was based on the demonstration that narrowband UVB is more effective than historically used broadband UVB phototherapy for psoriasis (the most frequent single indication for dermatological phototherapy). Fewer studies have been done concerning narrowband UVB for atopic eczema, a less frequent indication (for example, in Tayside 121 whole-body courses of narrowband UVB were administered for atopic eczema compared with 480 courses for psoriasis in the year ending 31/01/2013). For individuals not responding adequately to narrowband UVB alone we have sometimes combined narrowband UVB with UVA1 and our impression is that for some of these, especially difficult to treat patients, the combination is useful. For less treatment resistant diseases does the combination of narrowband UVB and UVA1 work better than narrowband UVB alone? If it does then the combination would be a good first choice treatment whereas if not the combination should continue to be an exceptional treatment.
It is probable that genetic factors play a role in response to phototherapy. The protein filaggrin is expressed in the outermost layers of the skin. Loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding filaggrin (FLG) result in deficiency of the filaggrin in the epidermis, and are associated with a greatly increased risk of atopic eczema as well as other atopic disorders. Filaggrin plays a key role in epidermal structure and barrier formation, and mutations in FLG may affect a patient's response to phototherapy particularly UVB therapy.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
16/ES/0044
Date of REC Opinion
26 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion